Briggs backs 18-game regular season

Bears Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs says he favors the idea of an 18-game regular-season schedule that is being discussed by NFLand union officials.

"I'll take an 18-game schedule over four preseason games where we all get paid $1,100 a game," Briggs said. "Players are under-compensated for the work that we put out there on the field in the preseason. But it is going to change the dynamics of the way (regular-season) games are played.

"Once a team (qualifies) for the playoffs, or they are a lock to establish home-field advantage throughout, coaches will have to make some different decisions about resting players or getting ready for the playoffs."

Word on the street: Our baseball sources tell us that while the relationship between Kenny Williams and Ozzie Guillen is not exactly great, reports that Williams wanted to fire his manager are inaccurate. We hear that Williams never approached Jerry Reinsdorf about firing Guillen but instead has been told to repair that relationship.